Taraba witnesses appreciable turnout of women

Against the cultural and religious belief in the northern parts, which forbids women in public places, women in Taraba State came out en masse, yesterday, to participate in the Presidential and National Assembly polls. At all polling units across the 10 wards in Jalingo, The Guardian observed that more women came out to exercise their civic duty than men.

Despite the delay and mix-up that characterised the exercise as election materials did not arrive on time, the women remained calm till the materials eventually arrived.

Some women, who expressed their dismay at the manner the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delayed the distribution of materials reiterated their readiness to sleep at the polling units until they exercise their franchise.

The governorship candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Senator Alhassan Aisha Jumai, said her drive in mobilising women to come out en-masse “is because we want them to have a say in electing their leaders.”

The former Minister, who made this known shortly after casting her vote, said she felt sad that the commission could not make available enough card readers. The Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero, however, had different view, as he lauded INEC’s efforts at conducting a peaceful poll.

Meanwhile, military jets, have taken over the state’s airspace, as they were seen hovering in the sky. A security source said the exercise was aimed at halting hoodlums from interrupting the voting exercise.